Ceramic Tiles: Pros and Cons
Learn the facts on this popular material for bathroom walls and floors, including costs and maintenance needs, before you commit
Often praised for its durability and variety, ceramic tile is a popular choice for bathroom finishes. If you’re drawn to colour and texture, this material can deliver on both fronts. But the sheer variety of ceramic tiles is endless, which can make finding just the right tile very difficult.
Because ceramic tends to cost less than porcelain and is much lighter, it’s often used for wall and ceiling installations. However, there are some major cons to this material, too: It’s not as strong as porcelain, so it doesn’t make the best walking surface. It can be very cold underfoot in the winter, and heavy tile can be difficult to install.
Curious if ceramic tile will work in your bathroom? Here’s what you should know before making the purchase.
Because ceramic tends to cost less than porcelain and is much lighter, it’s often used for wall and ceiling installations. However, there are some major cons to this material, too: It’s not as strong as porcelain, so it doesn’t make the best walking surface. It can be very cold underfoot in the winter, and heavy tile can be difficult to install.
Curious if ceramic tile will work in your bathroom? Here’s what you should know before making the purchase.
Pros
Ceramic tile can be incredibly affordable, and there’s a ton of variety in styles, colours, finishes and textures. It’s also easy to customise it for details like chair rails, soap dishes and special edging and nosing, as in this bathroom.
Ceramic tile can be incredibly affordable, and there’s a ton of variety in styles, colours, finishes and textures. It’s also easy to customise it for details like chair rails, soap dishes and special edging and nosing, as in this bathroom.
Traditional Tile
Cons
Ceramic tile is not as strong as its cousin, porcelain tile, but what it lacks in strength, it makes up for in price.
Find out where to use which tile type
Ceramic tile is not as strong as its cousin, porcelain tile, but what it lacks in strength, it makes up for in price.
Find out where to use which tile type
Ceramic Basics
Special considerations
Since ceramic tiles often have texture, you may want to consider this to add dimension to your bathroom. The eased edge on this tile adds a little extra something to a bathroom wall, but can make it difficult to figure out how to cut end tile. Consider using a tile edge profile to make the transition less awkward.
Here’s how to get the bathroom tile layout right
Since ceramic tiles often have texture, you may want to consider this to add dimension to your bathroom. The eased edge on this tile adds a little extra something to a bathroom wall, but can make it difficult to figure out how to cut end tile. Consider using a tile edge profile to make the transition less awkward.
Here’s how to get the bathroom tile layout right
However, today’s ceramic tile offers much more than an eased edge. This wavy tile is just one example of the texture and detail available today.
This type of tile can make for a great accent in a bathroom, but I’d avoid using too much texture in a shower, since it can make for difficult cleaning. Try using it for a feature wall or feature corner instead.
Check out these versatile tile finishes
This type of tile can make for a great accent in a bathroom, but I’d avoid using too much texture in a shower, since it can make for difficult cleaning. Try using it for a feature wall or feature corner instead.
Check out these versatile tile finishes
Ceramic Art Tile
Maintenance
Make sure you choose a ceramic tile with a durable finish. How can you tell? Buy a sample, take it home and clean it to death.
I recommend cleaning ceramic tile with a white nylon scrub brush and a little soap. You shouldn’t need much more than that. Ceramic is very durable, but it’s best to stick to mild household detergents and to spot test before using anything new.
Installation
Installing ceramic tile is pretty straightforward; it could even be a DIY project if you have some experience working with tile. Many of today’s ceramic tile actually has directional arrows on the back side; make sure you keep them lined up the same way so you get the correct look.
Read more:
Tile Guide: Which Tiles Are Perfect For Your Kitchen & Bathroom?
Tell us:
What pros and cons have you experienced with ceramic tile? Tell us in the Comments below.
Make sure you choose a ceramic tile with a durable finish. How can you tell? Buy a sample, take it home and clean it to death.
I recommend cleaning ceramic tile with a white nylon scrub brush and a little soap. You shouldn’t need much more than that. Ceramic is very durable, but it’s best to stick to mild household detergents and to spot test before using anything new.
Installation
Installing ceramic tile is pretty straightforward; it could even be a DIY project if you have some experience working with tile. Many of today’s ceramic tile actually has directional arrows on the back side; make sure you keep them lined up the same way so you get the correct look.
Read more:
Tile Guide: Which Tiles Are Perfect For Your Kitchen & Bathroom?
Tell us:
What pros and cons have you experienced with ceramic tile? Tell us in the Comments below.
Ceramic tiles are wide ranging; all are generally made from red or white clay that’s been fired in a kiln and glazed or finished. If you’re a tile nerd like me, ceramic tile technically includes porcelain tile too, but for this ideabook we’ll exclude that category.